BICOM

Israel’s government is taking several measures to crack down on the current wave of violence and is considering controversial methods to deter future attacks.

21 Israelis have been killed since the start of October, mainly in knife and vehicle attacks which appear to be uncoordinated. The violence centred initially on Jerusalem, with the Hebron area of the West Bank also then becoming a focus of attacks. However, Palestinians have also perpetrated attacks in numerous central Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Netanya, Ra’anana and Beit Shemesh. A brief lull in violence was broken by a number of deadly attacks during the past week, which killed four Israelis in Gush Etzion in the West Bank and two in Tel Aviv.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gush Etzion on Monday and pledged that “no restrictions on the activities of the IDF” to curb the violence. Indeed, the military presence in parts of the West Bank has been increased with Channel Ten reporting new checkpoints near Hebron, Nablus and Hawara and greater checks on routes frequented by both Israeli and Palestinian vehicles. Palestinian workers were temporarily barred entry to Gush Etzion on Monday due to the recent attacks and overnight Monday, 16 arrests were made across the West Bank.

In addition to the measures on the ground, Israel’s government is reportedly considering transferring the families of West Bank terrorists to the Gaza Strip, as a deterrent to future would-be attackers. The move would only apply to families who helped plan or knew of an attack and would in any case be subject to the approval of the government’s legal advisor. Israel already has a policy of demolishing the homes of terrorists. Reports earlier this month suggested that the family of an attacker informed the Israeli authorities of his whereabouts in order to protect their home.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu indicated earlier this week that the families of terrorists would have work permits revoked, commenting “such a family has no right to work in Israel.”